There is a very interesting post on the Future of Education Blog regarding linear thinking and innovation.
I printed out the list of the seven deadly sins of innovation and plan to pin them on the wall in my office.
- Thinking the answer is in here, rather than out there
- Talking about it rather than building it
- Executing when we should be exploring
- Being smart
- Being impatient for the wrong things
- Confusing cross-functionality with diverse viewpoints
- Believing process will save you
Are there more?
The spring term for many MBA programmes is informally designated for studying abroad. As such, my classmates at Fuqua are currently dispersed all over the globe, from South Africa to Thailand. I am in Mali where I am working with a group of doctors to implement an epidemiological study.
Like many developing nations, Mali’s economy and academic world are centered in the capital, Bamako. However, many years ago, an intrepid young doctor right out of medical school began working in the rural zones and has since encouraged countless other doctors to do the same. After years of rural placements, the medical school now aims to measure the impact of such work by establishing a baseline. Ultimately, the hope is to solidify the programme for the future.
We’ve since worked together to establish the planning and budgeting for the study. Given that the region we are focusing on is home to countless clinics and localities, it has been a statistical and mathematical journey to discover the best direction for a month-long survey. At
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Our friends at the Fordham Institute issued a new report this week that is critical of Ohio’s United States’ History content standards. Lacking in both clarity and rigor, Ohio scored a 3 of a possible 10, earning a less than acceptable grade of D.
Ohio’s standards claim to outline the “essential knowledge” that students should acquire through the social studies curriculum. Unfortunately, the state does not seem to consider substantive historical content to be “essential,” since very little is included.
In the elementary grades, Ohio’s standards place little emphasis on U.S. history. Early grades’ guiding themes include such general concepts—typical of the “expanding environments” approach to social studies—as “The Classroom Community” (preKindergarten), “A Child’s Place in Time and Space” (Kindergarten), “Families Now and Long Ago, Near and Far” (first grade), “People Working Together” (second grade), and “Communities: Past and Present, Near and Far” (third grade). The history strand in these grades is divid Read more…
Yesterday we had the Lantern Festival, marking the official end of the Chinese New Year celebrations. Launching a paper lantern into a night sky is actually strangely captivating. It brings an unexpected moment of stillness and childlike wonderment.
Someone explained to me that it is a celebration of family, ancestors and ancient gods. It also, I hope, means no more firecrackers outside my bedroom window at 6am. Dont rent a ground floor flat in Shanghai unless you enjoy firecrackers in the spring, mosquitoes in the summer and icy floors in the winter.
We were given a two-week break from school, which felt like a real bonus coming so soon after the Christmas break. Many of my international classmates took the opportunity to travel a little in Asia Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam and the Philippines seem to be at the top of everyones list.
A friend very kindly invited me and a few others to visit his home town in Jiangsu, which is one of Shanghais neighbouring provinces.
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A short time ago after the State Board emerged from executive session, Board President Rob Hovis announced that the election of board officers would be redone next month due to questions about the voting.
What does that mean?
Discussion in executive session is confidential, but it’s clear that the board received legal advice that likely told them that the election of officers last month was not legal due to one or both of two conditions.
The first issue is that of Martha Harris’ participation in last month’s meeting and the narrow 10-9 margin that elected both board officers. Was Ms. Harris eligible to vote? Was she a board member at the time of the January meeting? Now that Ms. Harris has filed suit in federal court to stop Angela Bennett from being seated, it will be up to the court to decide who can sit where.
The other issue is likely the fact that the board voted for officers by secret ballot in violation of the Sunshine Laws. Public bodies are required to cast all votes publicly. Read more…
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